The big idea here is to record the guitar naked. (Uh, the naked guitar sound that is, not you.) Take the output of your guitar, and run it through a direct box (or a half-normaled jack in a patch bay) in order to split the signal.

Bartlett Microphones is offering two new condenser mics for acoustic guitar and other instruments. Intended for singer/songwriters, folk and old-time groups, these tiny clip-on mics are claimed to provide a natural sound for recording or PA.

Doing this kind of editing requires aspectral view of the waveform (Figure1) so you can easily recognize thedifference between the artifacts andthe notes themselves, and performthe digital audio equivalent of a "window splice" in the frequencyspectrum. I use Adobe Audition 3 forthis, although Steinberg Wavelab alsogives an editable spectral view.

Cheapo realtime control over audio mutations is another real plus. Trying to manipulate virtual knobs in real time can be akin to trying to pick your nose using one of those giant foam #1 fingers—an exercise in true frustration.

Most engineers record the Lesliefrom the rear—with the backremoved—for a direct and welldefinedtone. For a mono recording,you can get great results with theLeslie cranked to the gills, and bypositioning a single Shure SM58 upto a foot from the treble horn.